News Briefs

More than 60,000 people participated in the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism, which included a competitive 5K race in downtown Raleigh on Oct. 20. COURTESY OF AMY SEELEY

More than 60,000 people participated in the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism, which included a competitive 5K race in downtown Raleigh on Oct. 20. COURTESY OF AMY SEELEY

Triangle Run/Walk for Autism raises $285,000

RALEIGH The Autism Society of North Carolina raised more than $285,000 on Oct. 12 as more than 3,500 people participated in the 15th annual Triangle Run/Walk for Autism in downtown Raleigh.

Proceeds from the event will stay in North Carolina, providing support and promoting opportunities for more than 60,000 people in the state affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Triangle Run/Walk for Autism succeeded with the help of major sponsors FOX 50 and Me TV, and the top participant team, Pediatric Possibilities, which raised more than $10,000. The Autism Society of North Carolina’s goal is to raise $300,000 to help families affected by autism, and donations are still being accepted at trianglerunwalkforautism.com.

The Triangle Run/Walk for Autism included a competitive 5K race, a noncompetitive 5K, a recreational 1-mile run/walk, and a kids’ dash. The event also featured a family-friendly festival, refreshments supplied by local sponsors, and vendor space where dozens of businesses, service providers, local support resources, and sponsors were showcased. From staff reports

Collections will be made citywide once before and after the Christmas holiday. Leaf piles must be placed curbside no later than 7 a.m. on the first day for collection in the zone, away from any obstructions such as vehicles, water meters and mail boxes. Visit the city website at www.raleighnc.gov to check this year’s schedule of when crews will be in your neighborhood and procedures to follow to prepare your loose leaves properly.

Residents may get program updates by calling the automated leaf line at 919-996-3720, tuning in to Time Warner cable channel 97.6 or channel 22 and by visiting the city’s website. Raleigh residents may find their collection section by clicking on the services tab at the top of the home page and entering their address under My Raleigh Services in the lower right corner.

Residents receiving loose leaf curbside service also may have their leaves picked up year-round on their scheduled yard waste collection day. Leaves must be placed in clear plastic bags, paper bags, or permanent containers. Permanent containers with lifting handles, such as a plastic or metal garbage can, can be no larger than 35 gallons and weigh no more than 75 pounds. In addition, residents may take their yard waste to the City of Raleigh Yard Waste Recycling Center located at 900 North New Hope Road. From staff reports

Carolinian trains schedule changed

RALEIGH Passengers traveling on Amtrak trains in North Carolina will notice a change in train schedules for a month while CSX performs track work. On Mondays through Thursdays until Nov. 14, Carolinian trains 79 and 80 between Raleigh and New York will be canceled. The trains will continue to operate on a normal schedule on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during this period. The trains will also continue to operate on a normal schedule between Charlotte and Raleigh.

During the work, alternate bus service will be provided for passengers traveling from Raleigh to Selma, Wilson or Rocky Mount. Buses may leave up to 30 minutes later than times shown in Amtrak printed timetables.

Alternate bus service will also be provided for passengers traveling from Rocky Mount, Wilson or Selma to Raleigh. Buses may leave up to one hour earlier than times shown in Amtrak printed timetables.

RALEIGH The Sister Cities program in Raleigh is getting noticed. Recently, the program was nominated for the Sister City of the Year by the government leaders of China. The awards ceremony will be held in March in Washington, D.C.

Raleigh Sister Cities is being nominated for best overall United States-Chinese Sister City Relationship. James Montague, who is chairman of the China Country Committee for Raleigh Sister Cities, also was nominated for the individual award for outstanding contribution to U.S.-Chinese Sister Cities.

The cities of Raleigh and Xiangyang recently have had several international exchanges in education, business, and government. The two Sister City programs have established relationships between schools in their respective cities. In June, Mayor Pro Tem Eugene Weeks traveled to Xiangyang and several other cities in China to meet with government leaders for discussions. From staff reports